plate no. 2131

On the barricades on the Rue Soufflot, Paris, 25 June 1848

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfiguressoldiersbuildingbarricadesmokeflag

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with many figures and creating atmospheric perspective using layers of color and value. It's also a good exercise in understanding how to suggest detail rather than rendering every element precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of key figures and the building.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the large shapes of the building, sky, and ground.
step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a sense of depth and drama.
step 04
Start adding details to the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their poses and expressions.
step 05
Gradually add more detail to the background figures, using softer edges and less contrast to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Refine the details of the barricade, adding texture and variation to the stones and debris.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and volume.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Use raw umber and ivory black mixed with white for the overall neutral tones. Add touches of cadmium red for the flag and blood. Mix ultramarine blue and yellow ochre with white for the sky and atmospheric haze.

techniques